“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind.”

From: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Santa Claus

The story behind the quote: As this is the holiday season, this week’s quote comes from the seminal Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street, specifically, the original one that was released on 1947. The film is about a department store Santa who believes he is the real Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Believe it or not, this film was actually released in June of that year and not during the holiday season.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Believing that Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Glenn) is delusional for thinking, Macy’s event director Doris Walker (played by Maureen O’Hara) calls him to her office to inform him that Mr. Kringle will be taking a psychological exam. Before she is able to tell Mr. Kringle, he states that he relishes being a department store Santa because it’s his chance to remind people about the true meaning of Christmas. Doris states that the holidays are still the same despite people wanting more stuff during the season. This is when Santa Claus delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Most people have forgotten that Christmas isn’t just a time, it’s actually a feeling. The feeling of spreading good cheer towards your fellow man. It’s also sad that we tend to only “feel” the Christmas spirit, the spirit of giving, during the holidays. It would be so much better if we remember this feeling, not only during this time period, but throughout the year as well.

“I’ve been running up and down these steps for twenty years, and I never knew there was valuable pictures in this building.”

From: Rocky V

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocky Balboa

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the much maligned fifth entry in the Rocky series. Rocky V has Rocky Balboa losing all of his money and, unable to compete in boxing due to various injuries, is forced to return to his old neighborhood in Philadelphia. He attempts to train Tommy Gunn, an up and coming boxer, but an unscrupulous agents named George Washington Duke turns Gunn against Rocky.

The quote comes from the very end of the film. Rocky (played once again by Sylvester Stallone) and his son (played by his real life son, Sage) climb the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky reminisces that he’s always used those steps for training for fights and this is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We can sometimes go through life and simply not notice the beauty in the world because we don’t pay attention. It’s always a good idea to stop and slow down and take a moment to look around. Life may be passing you by and you might not even know it.

“Infinite ammo.”

From: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Solid Snake

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the PlayStation 2 game, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the much anticipated sequel to the PlayStation smash-hit, Metal Gear Solid. In a rather controversial move, Hideo Kojima places you in the skin-tight sneaking suit of Raiden instead of Solid Snake.

The quote comes near the end of the game. Raiden has just escaped capture on board Arsenal Gear. He meets up with Solid Snake, who gives Raiden his sneaking suit and a sword. As they are about to take on great enemy forces, Snake tells Raiden that, if he runs out of ammo, he will give him some. Raiden then asks if Snake would need some of it. Snake then points to his bandanna/head and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Snake pointing to the bandanna is a wink and a nod to an Easter Egg from the first Metal Gear Solid, as it’s a special item that does grand him unlimited ammunition. However, you can also say that Snake is pointing to his head, referring that his brain has “infinite ammo.”

The brain has limitless possibility and potential. You can actually say it’s unlimited in what it can do. The thing is you have to put it to work.

“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”

From: Star Wars (specifically, Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Qui-Gon Jinn

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first of the Star Wars prequels, Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The film was released in 1999 and was highly anticipated as this was George Lucas returning to the Star Wars franchise that he launched way back in 1977. However, this film, as well as the next two, were set before the original trilogy, making them prequels.

The quote comes early in the film. After Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, two Jedis Knights, escape from a Trade Federation ambush. They get separated in Naboo. As the Trade Federation tanks destroy the land, Qui-Gon runs across and saves the Gungan Jar-Jar Binks, who was just standing around instead of trying to find cover. Qui-Gon is annoyed as Jar-Jar was essentially a deer in the headlights and calls him brainless. When Jar-Jar retorts that he can’t be brainless as he knows how to speak, the Jedi Master delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Always take the time to think before you speak. A wise person will only speak when he needs to. A dumb person will just blurt out anything that comes to mind without thinking if it’s even worth talking about.

“Clever girl.”

From: Jurassic Park

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Robert Muldoon

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the first Jurassic Park film. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name, the film, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, is all about a theme park that’s filled with real, living dinosaurs but, prior to the park’s grand opening, things go south when the attractions get out.

The quote comes from the near the end of the film. As the power has gone out from the Park, game warden Robert Muldoon (played by Bob Peck) tries to secure the area as vicious velociraptors are on the loose. Muldoon does spot one of the velociraptors and he goes in to get a clear shot. He realizes too late that the raptor he spotted was just a decoy so another raptor can close in on him without him noticing. Seeing the raptor, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Never underestimate anything. There are times when you think victory is at hand and it’s a sure thing. But your victory can be snatched away because you failed to notice the things around you or you may actually be playing right into its hands.

“There’s always money in the banana stand.”

From: Arrested Development

Genre: Television

Who said it?: George Bluth, Sr.

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Arrested Development, a sitcom that was first released on Fox. It was then picked up on Netflix six years later, showing the longevity of the series that focuses on  the Bluths, a dysfunctional family who lost their wealth when it was discovered that the patriarch of the family, George Bluth, Sr. (played by Jeffrey Tambor), had been stealing from the company.

The quote is actually a running gag of the series. Whenever Michael Bluth (played by Jason Bateman) goes talk to his father in prison regarding the family’s money problems, George Sr. would always deliver the quote. Unfortunately, Michael takes this as a figure of speech instead of the literal sense George Sr. is saying…

Geek wisdom: One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. We sometimes cannot see the value in things while others will recognize it. We also cannot see the secrets nor the stories some of our prized possessions have within them.

“People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

From: V for Vendetta

Genre: Movies, Comics

Who said it?: V

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from V for Vendetta. This was originally a comic series written by Alan Moore and made into a feature length film of the same name. Both the comic and the movie are about V’s vengeance against a tyrannical government and Evey, a young woman who eventually joins V in his revolution.

The quote comes early in the film. V (played by Hugo Weaving) had just rescued Evey (played by Natalie Portman) from agents of the government. He brings her to his home/hideout and they discuss the bombing of a Parliment building that V claims he did. Evey asks if he’s scared because he’s now a wanted man and every one who he’s incited will also be hunted down. This is when V delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: The people can also affect change by other means, such as voting these people out or, in the worst case, depose a corrupt leadership. Even the most tyrannical governments can be toppled if enough of its citizenry fights back and these governments must be afraid if they really want to stay in power.

“If you’re nothing without this suit, then you shouldn’t have it.”

From: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark/Iron Man

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Spider-Man: Homecoming. The film is essentially a reboot of the previous Spider-Man films and, although it was made by Sony Pictures, it was made by Marvel Studios in a licensing deal to allow the Wall Crawler to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oddly enough, it doesn’t come from your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, though.

The quote comes fairly late in the movie. Spider-Man tries to foil an arms deal but something goes wrong and Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) has to come in and save the day. Tony tells Peter Parker/Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland) that he’s taking the Spider-Man suit back. Peter pleads to his mentor/idol that he needs the suit. This is when Tony delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It shouldn’t be the suit that makes the man. It should be the man that makes the suit. It’s kind of fitting that it’s Tony Stark that tells Peter Parker this as, although he’s widely known as Iron Man, he doesn’t have to rely on that suit of armor to fight the good fight. A good person has to have a good heart, code of honor and the will to fight the good fight, not a fancy suit filled with gadgets.

“You’re a wizard, Harry!”

From: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rubeus Hagrid

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes way back from the first Harry Potter book and film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The book and film series follows the adventures of Harry Potter, a young wizard in training who is known for being the child to have survived an attack from Lord Voldermont.

The quote comes very early from both the book and the movie. In fact, from the first scene of the movie. Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliff) has been living with his uncle and aunt since the passing of his parents. His new guardians generally treat him like dirt until Hagrid, a giant, comes to their home and tells Harry that he’s been admitted to Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because of his heritage, even though Harry can’t believe it because of what he’s been told by his uncle and aunt his whole life.

Geek wisdom: We all have potential in ourselves to be something different from what we are. While other people, much like Harry’s uncle and aunt will try to prevent you from being something great and even try to keep you down, you always have to strive to be better because we all can be wizards in our own right.

“And I don’t want to hear anything about ‘I don’t believe in vampires’ because I don’t believe in vampires, but I believe in my own two eyes, and what I saw is fucking vampires!”

From: From Dusk Till Dawn

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Seth Gecko

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the (intentionally?) campy crime/horror film From Dusk Till Dawn. The film was directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarentino, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie is about two brothers who kidnap a preacher’s family  and go to a bar and… vampires show up. Really.

The quote comes from the latter part of the film. After Seth Gecko (played by George Clooney) and the other survivors of the bar manage to barricade themselves away from the vampires, the criminal tries to formulate a plan to keep the monsters at bay…

Geek wisdom: When confronted with the facts, you have to accept them as being the truth, even though you may have wholeheartedly believed in the opposite. Clinging on to the past, despite being shown proof that you are incorrect is just foolish.